LEIGH Miners Rangers booked their Super Cup final berth, but Leigh East missed out in a scorcher at Twist Lane last weekend.

In roasting temperatures, a healthy crowd witnessed two high-scoring semi-finals, and although Miners saw off North West Counties side Haydock, East were undone by fellow Conference Premier outfit Thatto Heath.

A ten minute burst after half time was enough for Lee Briers' Crusaders outfit to push East 35-22. John Woods tried his hardest for East with a hand in two of their four tries, but the Leigh side's defence was breached six times. Centre Peter Clarke and Lee Penkywicz (2) scored East's tries but they were undone by an impressive Heath side.

Miners always held the upper hand against Haydock, although the final score of 36-20 doesn't reflect the efforts of Haydock, who had two tries from ex-pro and player-coach Wayne Bloor in their scoreline.

Bloor's ex-Chorley team-mate Paul Wilcox scored a brilliant hat-trick for Miners with a display of real pace. Returning captain Tommy Goulden, Alan Redicliffe, Simon Warhurst and Simon Unsworth notched Miners' other tries.

Miners will now play Thatto in Saturday's final, a repeat of the 1997 final which Miners won 22-16. Since then, Thatto have beaten Miners in two league meetings, and the game should be a cracker.

The game kicks off at 3pm at Twist Lane, but before that is the Fred Hilton under 13s cup final. Hindley received a walkover victory over Leigh East, and Parkside Golborne shocked Miners Rangers 32-34. The two sides will meet in a 1:30 curtain-raiser.